Climbing a hill in the bush at Kiliguni in Taso park

After breakfast we had another game drive through the woods. This time we went more up into the mountains and almost saw a leopard as one other van had but it went into hiding before we got there.

After returning a group of us went on a nature hike with an armed guard and naturalist. It started off flat over the well warn paths used by the animals coming to the water holes at the lodge. Then it started up one of the five sisters hills. The path was steep at it was hot being late morning. All of the group stopped part way up with Andy, I and the naturalist continuing all the way to the top. This was no small hill but at the top there was a big pile of animal dung so something big had made it up the steep sides to the top. It was so steep that we even had trouble going down without falling. One girl fell landing in a pile of elephant dung which covered her face and pants.

In the late afternoon we went on another game drive up into the hills and saw the usual suspects but no cats.

After an excellent dinner at the hotel hundreds of cape buffalo cam to the water hole and pushed the elephants out.

Second day at Kiliguni lodge Kenya on safari

I am sitting on my rooms veranda watching antelope and zebra at the waterhole n from of the hotel.. Today I got up at 5:45 for some coffee and cake before heading out for an early game drive and a champaign breakfast. We headed out at 6:15 for the bush in Van three. Our van contains Bob and Kate and Andy and Amerita(?) and me. Our hope was to see some lions but we were a little too late. We saw tracks but no cats. Many other animals were in view including various antelope, birds, hyenas, ostrich, zebras, giraffes, wart hogs, and a charging rhinoceros. It is amazing how fast such a large animal can move. Fortunately he or she stopped within ten feet of our safari bus. It has a top that pops up so we can stand inside and look out but the vans is not very substantial and would crumple with the impact of a rhino. We continued on until we reached a large rock. On top of the rock were tables and a full kitchen in the open air. We proceeded to a delightful Champaign breakfast with eggs bacon potatoes etc. as well as individually made omelets. The views were spectacular.

We returned to the lodge for a rest before a 2:30 trip to a Massai village and additional game excursion. I am not sure that it was a functioning village but was interesting with women and children jumping up and down while singing. The men were out herding cattle. I purchased a bracelet.
We had another game drive seeing a number of the animals typical of the area.

Leaving on the first safari after Rotary Medical Mission Narobi Kenya

I had to get up at 4:45 to be ready to leave Darsi’s at 5:30 so that he could drop me off at the hotel for a 6:00 departure to the Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge for a three day stay. We took the main road to Mombasa which they are turning into a super highway. However, much work is to be done and in the work sections the ride was horrible, especially in a van with now shock absorbers. We stopped half way at a gas station and gift shop which had sorely needed toilets. However, the men’s portion was more or less out in the open. By this time many in the group were on lomotil which stops peristalsis. However, the shaking of the van compensated for the lack of internal movement. We continued eventually turning off on a dirt road for 39 km more to the Kilaguni Lodge. What a surprise. It is beautiful. The main section (a giraffe is walking by as I write this on my rooms veranda) having one whole 150 ft. wall completely open to the water hole where the animals congregate. It is so beautiful that it is difficult to describe. The weather is very pleasant so that no heat or air conditioning is required. All the meals on site are served in the main section so one can have this wide panoramic view of the water hole, mountains and savanna. Kilimanjaro is in the hazy distance.

In the afternoon we took a game drive to a river that had hippos and crocodiles as well as monkeys and other fauna. The river was spring fed and seemed to emerge from some rocks. It goes all the way to Mombasa. Water is taken for Mombasa upstream of the hippo area, for good reason. They are not the cleanest of animals. They live in the river during the day and go out to graze, sometimes several kilometers away, during the night. Down the stream a ways they had built a circular structure in the water with windows so one could see fish and other marine life. There were a series of circular benches each at a different level.

In the evening we had a very good dinner served individually rather than the usual buffet while looking out over the animals drinking at the water hole. There were a number of elephants then and through most of the night. During the night there was a lion but I missed it.

Nairobi to the Kilaguni lodge to start the Safari

I had to get up at 4:45 to be ready to leave Darsi’s at 5:30 so that he could drop me off at the hotel for a 6:00 departure to the Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge for a three day stay. We took the main road to Mombasa which they are turning into a super highway. However, much work is to be done and in the work sections the ride was horrible, especially in a van with now shock absorbers. We stopped half way at a gas station and gift shop which had sorely needed toilets. However, the men’s portion was more or less out in the open. By this time many in the group were on lomotil which stops peristalsis. However, the shaking of the van compensated for the lack of internal movement. We continued eventually turning off on a dirt road for 39 km more to the Kilaguni Lodge. What a surprise. It is beautiful. The main section (a giraffe is walking by as I write this on my rooms veranda) having one whole 150 ft. wall completely open to the water hole where the animals congregate. It is so beautiful that it is difficult to describe. The weather is very pleasant so that no heat or air conditioning is required. All the meals on site are served in the main section so one can have this wide panoramic view of the water hole, mountains and savanna. Kilimanjaro is in the hazy distance.

In the afternoon we took a game drive to a river that had hippos and crocodiles as well as monkeys and other fauna. The river was spring fed and seemed to emerge from some rocks. It goes all the way to Mombasa. Water is taken for Mombasa upstream of the hippo area, for good reason. They are not the cleanest of animals. They live in the river during the day and go out to graze, sometimes several kilometers away, during the night. Down the stream a ways they had built a circular structure in the water with windows so one could see fish and other marine life. There were a series of circular benches each at a different level.

In the evening we had a very good dinner served individually rather than the usual buffet while looking out over the animals drinking at the water hole. There were a number of elephants then and through most of the night. During the night there was a lion but I missed it.

My first day in Nairobi and climbing a volcano

I was very fortunate being one of a few Rotarians who was privileged to stay at the home of a local Rotarian and Doctor, Darsi and his wife Renita. He has a very interesting history and is very active in the treatment of AIDS victims.

7:30 am Darsi and I set off for a volcano in the rift valley north of Nairobi. I had arrived at 11:00 pm the night before. We met two friends that work for the U.S. Government and live in Kenya. It was a hand over hand climb near the top and I was wondering if my trip would be cut short by a coronary before it even got started. I did survive and enjoyed the spectacular views down steep foliage covered sides of the volcano from a very narrow path.
Evening

Darsi Lotai and Renita prepared a lovely dinner on their veranda of grilled or stir fried fish and salad. Earlier I had gone shopping with Darsi at a very upscale mall for Kenya to get veggies from the green grocer. These drives show the most affluent and most depressed areas of Nairobi. There is a vast difference. On our drives to the volcano and then the green grocer, Darsi gave me more of his history. He is ethnically Indian but was borne in Nairobi. His grandfather came over to Kenya as an indentured servant for 50 rupees. It took him 5 years to pay it back. This grandfather must have been very industrious as he started several businesses. Darsi’s father was able to send 4 children to college with Darsi completing medical school. He has been involved in polio and then AIDS working for the government and several companies. At one time during the genocide in Rwanda he personally drove medicines from a pharmaceutical company to Rwanda as all the usual means of conveyance were shut down.

My hosts had invited a couple to join us. The lady was an ex-BA flight attendant who was currently running a bed and breakfast in Nairobi that seemed to cater to NGO personnel. Paula was having trouble getting paid. Her companion was a very interesting African who had spent 5 years in North Korea training as an insurgent.

Kenya Rotary AIDS trip

I am leaving for Kenya on September 19^th to participate in this Rotary function. We will work in AIDS clinics and stay with local Rotarians. The flyer below gives basic information about the trip.

A blog of the trip can be found at http://kenyaaidscarl.blogspot.com/

Ericson 35 Sailboat for Sale

An excellent expample of the popular Ericson 35 Sailboat is offered for Sale Gulf of Maine Yacht Sales suzanne@gomys.com (207) 899-0909